LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team ended the Louisiana Classic with a pair of losses to Central Arkansas and Eastern Illinois Sunday.
In the first game, the Cardinals (1-4) were shutout by the Bears 9-0 with the mercy rule in effect, ending after five innings. The Bears (3-2) exploded for six runs in the second inning, propelled by a three-run triple from Sarah Bigej and a two-run homer by Jessie Taylor. The scoring continued in the top of the fifth as Ryan Holdiness hit another triple, scoring two more runs and Audrey Pratt's RBI-double capped the three-run inning that would ultimately put away UIW.
The Cardinals' offense was shut down by Kylee Studioso who got the win for the Bears. She went all five innings, walking one and striking out four.
UIW collected four hits and only one extra base hit, a double off the bat of
Christy Trevino (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) who also stole a base in the game.
Alex Zepeda (Sinton/Sinton HS),
Shelbi Swenson (Elgin/Elgin HS) and
Kellen Robles (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) got the only other hits of the game for the Cardinals.
Sarah Leal (Kyle/Hays HS) took the loss for UIW, going an inning and two thirds, giving up six runs on five hits, three walks and struck out one.
In the second game, the Cardinals offense woke up right from the get-go.
Danielle Ramirez (San Antonio/Marshall HS) led the game off with a single and then scored on an RBI triple from Zepeda who later scored on a wild pitch from Michelle Rogers.
The Panthers answered right away with two runs in the bottom of the first and then piled on four runs in the second inning, including a two-run homer from Bailey O'Dell, making it 6-2.
Alexandria Alonzo (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) cut the lead down to 6-3 by bringing in Leal with a double to right field in the top of the fourth for UIW.
With the game 7-3 going into the last inning, Zepeda collected her second RBI of the game with a single up the middle scoring
Taylor Johnson (Schertz/Clemens HS), but it would not be enough as the Panthers closed out the game 7-4.
Rogers got the win for the Panthers (2-2) going 5.1 innings while giving up three runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out two Cardinals. The loss went to
Mikaela Flores (Lockhart/Lockhart HS) who pitched an inning and a third giving up six runs before getting relieved by Leal, who pitched very well for the Cardinals. She went 4.1 innings giving up only one unearned run on three hits while striking out two.
Katie Helm (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) went 2-for-3 for the Cardinals, including a double in the loss.
Ramirez was named to the all-tournament team for the Cardinals. She went 8-for-18 at the plate for the week with four runs scored and three stolen bases.
The Cardinals will now play in the Maverick Classic, starting against UT-Arlington Thursday at 7 p.m., and will have four more games in the classic.
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